MOVIE REVIEW: ANOTHER CLASSIC CASE OF STYLE OVER SUBSTANCE-"KABALI"

India's Biggest Superstar, Sir Rajinikanth is back with a movie whose trailer had literally broke all the records before. I was so impressed by that same trailer that I had watched it at least 15 times in a day. 'Kabali', coming after 2 not so successful films of Sir Rajini, had got audience rooting for it beyond skies. Since the first look, marketing has been brilliant and Sir himself looked stunning. Whatever may be the package, all that matters is the content and 'Kabali' falls short of content to say the least.

Pa Ranjith, after directing a successful Tamil film Madras, had signed on one of the biggest projects of India. Though he had a lot to offer, it seems that he had lost the track of it. The first half sails on with no struggle although there are some unnecessary sequences. Second half brings up a real test for the audience. Though the attempt of showing that a Don like Kabali is ready to go any distance to meet her wife is appreciable, the story just drags between all those sequences. Couple of miscasts doesn't help too. Few supporting actors pulls your focus away from the movie and that too not in a good way. The climax is probably the worst part of the movie. Ambiguous ending seems just forced when there is absolutely no need for that.The two female protagonist i.e Radhika apte and Dhaniska have done a commendable job.

Highlights: 

• Rajini Sir, Radhika Apte, Dhansika
• Costumes
• Flashback Episode
• Cinematography

Drawbacks:

• Story
• Second Half
• Miscast
• Screenplay
•  Climax   

Audience reaction:

What does Kabali do best?
               Rajini Sir is a feast to eyes. Kabali is a proof that he's still young and is still got it in him.
What does Kabali do worst?
               Too long! At least 30 minutes of the movie can be chopped off effortlessly. Story seems fresh out of a 60's movie.
What had helped and also contributed to the fall of the movie is marketing. Or should I say false marketing?! The movie was marketed as a movie of Gangsters and the re-rise of a long forgotten Don whereas it was a philosophical journey of a man for his family. That was the first nail in the coffin.

Verdict: An average flick that almost got saved by Rajini Sir!

INFLUENCE OF MEDIA VIOLENCE

Evidence is steadily accumulating that prolonged exposure to violent TV programming during childhood is associated with subsequent aggression. Not only TV programming but all such kinds of media which demonstrate violence affecting a range of individuals.

Research on violent television and films, video games, and music reveals unequivocal evidence that media violence increases the likelihood of aggressive and violent behaviour in both immediate and long-term contexts.

Violent media often portray violent acts and situations but rarely represent the consequences of violence.  it may also desensitise individuals to other violent images and emotional stimuli. This also increases aggression which may result in future conflicts.

 Media violence is a highly complex and nuanced issue. So, there are clearly concerns with regards to violent media content such as age-appropriateness, saturation, desensitization, and instilling fear or unease in viewers.

After all views, responses and research we can conclude that media violence leads to real world violence.

Media violence

  MEDIA VIOLENCE

While violence is not new to the human race, it is an accumulative epidemic that is taking over today’s society. With firearms, ammunition and explosives becoming more accessible, this is resulting into more violent behavior and less serious consequences. Violence in the media plays an imperative role in the etiology of violent and hostile behavior in the world today. While it is difficult to determine which age group have experienced more televised violence, studies have shown that the consequences of aggressive and violent behavior have brought a great deal of human agonizing, suffering, pain and financial destitution to our society, as well as an atmosphere of apprehension, distress and doubt. Research indicates that violence in the media has not just increased in quantity; it has also become more explicit, sexual and sadistic. Most acts of violence in media and on television are laughed off and there are no consequences for these actions. 

In extremely recent current events of this past week the spreading trend has come to pass yet again. In the suburb of Santee, California a 15- year- old high school freshman shot and killed two classmates and wounded 13 others. The shooter, Charles "Andy" Williams smiled as he reloaded the revolver with only revenge on his mind. Hopefully this event, among several others, will spark the call for more gun control for the sake of the children and future generations. Because of the right to bear arms, it is possible for anyone old enough to walk to have access to destructive weapons. Andy had access in his own home with plenty of ammunition. The result is a breeder of violence has been released to the rest of America's children ("Tragedy at Santee" 2001). 

                       

Several precautions exist currently to help with the media violence issue and there are various more things that can still be done. Parental advisory labels, television rating systems, movie ratings, and video game content labels are fluent and abundant. Unfortunately, several items of restricted material are in the hands of an underage possessor due to the lack of enforcement. I doubt that various people take this issue seriously, and the majority of parents are not involved in a child's life enough to know the type of content their child is being exposed to. Parents and adults who own weapons that a child at any age can have access to is just begging for some type of disastrous accident to occur. Future generations need more enforcement and protection from media violence.

The content of television is becoming increasingly vulgar and makes me wonder if all of it is even necessary. Murder, rape, sex, profanity, crimes of all varieties as well as abuse are displayed on television, in movies and in music just for the purpose of entertainment. The media would help the violence explosion by editing content in the things children are the main supporters of. The damage that violent and vulgar content execute on children should not be ignored or denied for one life is to many to lose because of violence. 

In my opinion violence in the media, video games, rated R movies and music has a major impact on the younger generation and something needs to be done to protect our youth. 

- VARSHINI KALKERE

                         

Salman Khan in Dabbang 2

Portrayals of Violence in Film and Television

Media is a biggest source of entertainment mainly because of cinema and television films and shows. These media forms along with entertainment also portrays violence in the form of action scenes and stunts. Some of the action movies like Dabbang 2, Singham and Sultan shows action which influences the media audiences also and they get attracted towards (especially the children and the youth) it. All of these sources seem to have an effect on people in general, however the effect leans more towards children. It has become evident that children are almost becoming a target by the violence for financial benefits through marketing.  Compared to how entertainment was portrayed in the past, there is much more violence out today than there was 50 years ago. According to one study, it was found that between 1993 and 2001 incidents of physical violence increased by 378 %, and television shows in 2001 averaged about 40 acts of violence per hour. With the development and changes in technology there has been more and more violence in media with demand for action and stunt sequences it has resulted in more money for media persons and losses for the normal people. After seeing this media they also wish to be part of such violence things which affects their mental and Physical Stability.

PORTRAYAL OF VIOLENCE IN FILMS AND ON TELEVISION

At a young age, children's minds are sponge-like, absorbing everything that surrounds them, which makes them easy targets in terms of manipulation and victimized by the medias(like films,television etc.,) constant influence. By the time of adulthood, individuals are already under the influence of the mass media. Society appears to have a subconscious fixation with the mass media, resulting in individuals becoming desensitized to violence and to be detrimental effected. Psychologists, sociologists and anthropologists all obtain different beliefs to provide reasons to why violence continues to be a predominant factor in today's culture. Violence is a primary component of several individuals lives, especially in the youth culture, as many turn to the media for a sense of direction, resulting in them resembling the images they view, shaping their behaviours.

Researchers found that those who as children were exposed to violent T.V. shows or Films were much more likely to later be convicted of crime.Researchers said that girls who watched more than an average amount of violence in films and on television tended to throw things at their husbands.Boys who grew up watching violent media (films, tv etc.,) were more likely to be violent with their wives.

Researchers concluded in Developmental Psychology that,"Every violent TV show, Films increases a little-bit the likelihood of a child growing up to behave more aggressively." 

The medias portrayal of violence has resulted in many individuals becoming fixated on violent productions, causing them to believe violence is a key factor within our society. Humanity is gradually accepting violence, due to the mess media desensitizing viewers, who are detrimental effected, but the negative imagery. Psychologists, sociologists and anthropologists all attain dissimilar viewpoints and objectives to why violence persists on being a major aspect in today's civilization. In several contexts, the media can be held accountable for glorifying violent behaviour. If the media continues to use violence as a major element in cartoons, films, music and sitcoms, violence will continue to increase.

The Girl Who Loved Rain..

And even thought it scared others....
The cloud cover made her happy...
Dark, Cold, Windy, as the weather became...
She looked up her lips curved into a smile...
Eagerly she waited for it to pour down and the mud to smell sweet...
She began to walk as it started to drizzle...
And the weather turned bright and crisp...
The leaves began to sparkle as the drops clung to them...
And the air became foggy...
She kept walking in the damp mud as the rain drops tickled her face...
With a smile she kept walking, she felt at peace...
And wished it would never end...

Those Times!

Remember that giddy feeling when we used to sit on the swings and go high up in the air? Those days when we were so carefree. We didn't have anything to fret about. Remember the days when we were kids? The time when maths just meant addition and subtraction and science existed only till leaf. When homework and exams were never a burden.

The time when our goals existed till becoming a doctor or a teacher or an engineer and when poetry meant 'twinkle twinkle little star'. we couldn't wait to grow up. As adults, we crave for our childhood to come back. We want to relive our best memories more than we want to create new ones.

With each passing day we grow up. Not only physically but mentally too. We grow from what we face every quotidian. We grow from the problems we face everyday. We grow from the nature around around us, the thing that surround us. We have to 'THINK' about society and people before taking any step forward.

Weren't those times the best when we could prank on people without thinking about the consequences that followed? The times when we used to hide from our parents and eat Rs.1 cola.

The best times were those when photos were clicked to make memories, not an album on social media. The times when playing meant outdoor games and not on phone.

Why did we want to grow up?
Why did we think of Peter Pan crazy for not wanting to grow up?
Why did we want to become adults? So that we become the ones pushing children on swings instead of sitting on one?

For us back then, problems were counting the stars at night. Little did we know that counting the stars at night won't be a problem but a way of distracting us from the problem. At 3 we wanted to be 6. At 6 we wanted to be 10. At 10 we couldn't wait to enter into the teenage. As teenager's we wanted to be independent. And at 31 we would wish to be 3 again.

We aren't fully satisfied with what we have, hence we fail to make the most of the moment.
There is always 'I WISH' factor.
And when that moment becomes a memory, we yearn to live it all over again.

LIFE WONT ALWAYS GIVE YOU A SECOND CHANCE.. ENJOY EVERY MOMENT TO THE FULLEST....!

Violence in media

 ohh! did you saw Akshay kumars "khiladi" ,what an action ! did you see how fast he was driving the car ? and did  you saw in don 3 how sharukh was able to beat dozen of people together so cool!!!!...seriously this are some of the general statements we use in our conversation related to movies but had anyone seen the stuntman behind all this or the VFX effect ..i really don't guess so or maybe we know ..but still we try to follow their footstep.
“You turn on the television, and violence is there. You go to a movie, and violence is there,”. “Reality is distorted. If you live in a fictional world, then the fictional world becomes your reality.”
Heroes are violent, and, as such, are rewarded for their behavior. They become role models for youth. It is "cool" to carry an automatic weapon and use it to knock off the "bad guys."  vulnerable youth who have been victimized may be tempted to use violent means to solve problems as they must have seen in movies ...how a hero takes revenge from his enemies. Unfortunately, there are few, if any, models of nonviolent conflict resolution in the media. Additionally, children who watch televised violence are desensitized to it. They may come to see violence as a fact of life and, over time, lose their ability to empathize with both the victim and the victimizer.

 There are other, new forms of violence to which children and adolescents are exposed to which we are not able to identify directly such as music videos contain interpersonal violence. Still another new source of violent exposure is access to the Internet and video game
 young children will imitate aggressive acts on TV in their play with peers. Before age 4, children are unable to distinguish between fact and fantasy and may view violence as an ordinary occurrence. 

PORTRAYAL OF VIOLENCE IN TELEVISION AND FILMS

Now a days, entertainment industry has become a powerful means that influence how consumers view themselves and the world around them. And portrayal of violence through media is increasing day by day, as it puts a negative impact on the consumer of media. Violence in television, video games and films promote aggression and destructive behavior. Impact of these media directly falls on children and teenagers.
The two largest media that promote violence are television and movie. The violence in these two forms of media have a very large impact, due to widespread movie theatres and ninety nine percent of homes having one television.
Violence affects how people think, act and speak, in a violent manner, because of  what they have seen or heard. Since it affects the people psychologically, mostly children and youths, they have more tendency to mimic what they see without knowing the reality of television programmes. Thus, many people loose their life because of their stupidity.
Thus, it is very important to know the reality  and be safe rather than forming a wrong opinion on a particular film or programme and performing stupid stunts or acts.
"Be Alert , Be Safe."

POTRAYAL OF VIOLENCE IN FILMS AND ON TELEVISION

POTRAYAL OF VIOLENCE IN FILMS AND ON TELEVISION

       Violence is a component characteristic of many television programmes and unfortunately our lives . Every time you turn on the tv or listen to music you are exposed to violence. Every day it seems that more and more violence is being used in these mediums as entertainment for us. Kind of violence we watch on tv and movies even some songs also encourage us to be violent.

    

  But the main query is how this violence is taken by the audience. from my point of view, it has adverse effects on humans ESPECIALLY CHILDREN. Children follow what they see done. If they see something done on tv portrayed in a good light they would want to emulate them. It also effects human behaviour, people who are exposed to such violence shows are much more likely to later be convinced to crime. And people tend to hold attitude that favour violence. There is a prone to hold large distances between people. Researchers also concluded that “Every violent TV show increases a little bit the likelihood of a child growing up to behave more aggressively.”

                                                                                                          AGRESSION

Usually what kind of violence takes place in a film- there is a main character who is shown very strong as he can beat 20 or more people who seems stronger than him, blood drops plop by plop through his body he is badly hurt, there will be 2 to 3 bullets shot down into his body but the prodigy is he is still alive “oh my god an ordinary person cannot survive in this condition”, I don’t know how these heroes in movies not only survive in this condition but also fights standing steadily. Nowadays fights are more horribly shown. this is how todays youngsters take inspiration from, they also try to show the same kind of slant. This causes many youths to fascinate about violence, eventually experience the fascination of violence for themselves and go crazy. from few years’ child actors in films are shown very glibly they are given negative roles and even they also are involved in crime scenes, they are shown stealing money from their own houses, beating other children badly, arrogantly speaking to their parents, making plans to show someone down and many more negative conducts. not only in film but also in cartoons they show one of the character in dominant role treating others low, or two characters who always fight with each other trying to hurt each other in some or other way. This kinds of films, cartoons and shows really spin through a kid’s mind they really effect their mental stability. Children may feel more fearful from the world and people around them.

 When we talk about adolescents they are much more understanding they accept the difference between a real and a dramatic / virtual world but haan there are some in this category also who compress themselves to virtual world.

Some kind of violence scenes even appear as a nightmare many a times which often disturbs us and becomes a barrier in our work we find ourselves dented to that scene and spoil our state of peace mind .it destroys our beliefs and thoughts and often leads us to darker shade of life. But beyond all these theories there is very important piece left out that is our perspective if we people don’t accept violence shown in films, shows etc. then no other kind of negativity can harm us. It is we who have to open ourselves wide up and forget those negations. My parents always tell me that after watching a movie we should come back to our life don’t try to connect yourselves to such virtual worlds where we have no benefit, they are just a refreshment or a mode of entertainment. so please don’t stay back in virtuality you will gain nothing.

                                                

                                                  - Sai Padmasree Sudabattula